NATIVE ACTIVITY. 69 



ravine attracted my attention. This was imme- 

 diately succeeded by loud shouting. I looked 

 across, and saw a party of four or five men pelting 

 something lower down. Presently a couple of bears 

 scrambled up the rocks, and charged right at them. 

 Of course they bolted for their lives, and I think I 

 never before saw such a display of gymnastics. 

 There were a few stunted trees, almost leafless, near 

 the spot, and standing on open ground apart from 

 the jungle. They were little more than bushes ; but 

 into these two or three of the men threw themselves 

 with a monkey-like activity, which utterly passeth 

 my understanding. The others fled in different 

 directions towards the thicker jungle in the back- 

 ground. One of the bears selected one of the 

 latter, and went his best pace along the level in 

 pursuit. Notwithstanding the most desperate and 

 extraordinary exertions of the long-legged fellow in 

 front, the bear gained rapidly on him. But, for- 

 tunately, as it proved, it was the tim-tim- wallah. 

 He had no time to fling himself into one of the 

 trees, and, I confess, I was most anxious as to the 

 result of the race. Preferring, however, his own skin 

 to that of his drum, when he found there was no 

 way of avoiding his enraged pursuer, he, as a last 

 resource, dropped his tim-tim. Bruin at once pulled 

 up to examine his prize, and was soon engaged in 



